AgriTech

Transparency and traceability have become critical in the complex world of agri-food supply chains. Connecting Food, a French startup founded in 2016, aims to address these challenges by offering a blockchain-powered SaaS platform that centralizes and simplifies data collection, providing real-time visibility and compliance for food suppliers and manufacturers. With its innovative solution, Connecting Food has attracted key players across the industry. It helps them ensure product compliance with European and U.S. regulations while improving accuracy and security throughout their supply chain. From Mars and Nestlé to Blockchain Innovation The idea behind Connecting Food came from the hands-on experience of its Co-Founders, Maxine Roper and Stefano Volpi. Both have worked for over 20 years at top-tier food companies like Mars, Nestlé, Danone, and Avril. “At Mars and Nestlé, we saw firsthand the challenges of connecting supply chain data to meet legal and quality standards,” said Roper. This led them to leave their C-level roles and launch Connecting Food to revolutionize data management in the agri-food sector. Why “Connecting Food”? The startup’s name, “Connecting Food,” perfectly embodies its mission. According to the Co-Founders, the company “connects the dots” between the many actors in the agriculture and food industries. By doing so, the platform increases visibility and transparency, allowing businesses to track products from farm to fork.”We bring greater visibility into supply chains by connecting all industry actors that source from agriculture. Our platform ensures compliance with both European and U.S. regulations while increasing accuracy and security,” explained Volpi. A Strong Team with Diverse Expertise Connecting Food’s team is its greatest asset. It combines Tech expertise with deep industry knowledge. Based in Paris, the team works from the heart of one of Europe’s leading hubs for innovation.”Our team brings together technology, data, and industry experience. From ex-Deezer engineers to experts in food safety testing from Eurofins, we’ve built a unique blend of talent,” said Volpi. The team also includes professionals from Carrefour, BCG, and Bearing Point, adding depth to its sales, customer success, and data management operations. Targeting the Entire Agri-Food Ecosystem Connecting Food works with various clients at every stage of the agri-food supply chain, including retailers like Migros, branded manufacturers like Barilla and General Mills, and farming groups like Axereal.“Our platform enables clients to gain visibility, precision, and compliance in their supply chain operations,” Roper explained. With increasing demand for more transparency and compliance, especially in the face of a growing regulatory landscape, The company’s value proposition continues to grow. Standing Out from the Competition In the competitive landscape of supply chain management platforms, Connecting Food distinguishes itself through its unique focus on agrifood. While competitors offer similar services, they excel in centralizing cost-efficient, comprehensive data for supplier assessment and product monitoring. “Our expertise in agri-food and precise data management set us apart in ensuring transparency and traceability,” said Volpi. This unique capability allows the company to better serve its clients’ needs while maintaining cost-efficiency. Revenue Model and Traction Connecting Food generates revenue through a subscription-based model. It offers various modules for data management, digital auditing, and product monitoring, allowing clients to select the services they need to improve their supply chain operations. The company has gained traction by securing contracts with major retailers, manufacturers, and farming groups, highlighting its growing influence in the agri-food industry. Looking Ahead: Goals for 2024 After raising an €11 million Series A and receiving financing from the European Commission, Connecting Food is preparing for a significant growth phase. The company aims to raise equity by the end of 2024 to enhance its technology and expand services. “Our goal for 2024 is to scale our platform and explore new growth opportunities in the agri-food sector,” said Roper, as the team focuses on expanding its client base and meeting the rising demand for transparency and compliance in supply chains. Why SIAL Startup Village? Participating in SIAL Startup Village offers Connecting Food a valuable opportunity to network and showcase innovations to key agri-food decision-makers while engaging with current clients and strengthening its market position. “SIAL is one of the most important trade shows for food and beverage.” It offers us the chance to meet key decision-makers and showcase the latest innovations in supply chain management,” said Volpi.

NutrEvent, the leading European platform for nutrition innovation and collaboration, is set to showcase a range of emerging trends this year.

Founded in 2022, French startup Foodpilot is transforming the agri-food industry with an all-in-one digital solution that advances CSR, sustainability, and decarbonization. Its SaaS platform enables companies to measure, track, and manage the environmental and social impacts of their food products from farm to fork.” We identified a critical gap in accurately measuring the industry’s ecological footprint,” says Didier Livio, CEO of Foodpilot. “Our platform is designed to help businesses streamline and accelerate their sustainability efforts using real, validated data.” The Meaning Behind the Name FoodPilot The name Foodpilot reflects the company’s mission. “‘Food’ represents our sector, and ‘Pilot’ symbolizes guiding the industry toward sustainable transformation,” Didier explains. “With climate change threatening agricultural raw materials, urgent action is needed.” What Sets FoodPilot Apart from Competitors Foodpilot stands out due to its comprehensive and specialized approach. “Unlike our competitors who use spreadsheets and basic tools, we offer specialized expertise and manage large datasets effectively,” says Livio. Foodpilot tracks carbon and broader social and climate impacts, using advanced data modeling to complete gaps in datasets, making it the first European digital solution covering the entire supply chain. Expertise Driving Innovation Foodpilot’s success is driven by its expert team, which has offices in Paris, Dijon, and Montpellier. Led by professionals from the agri-food, wine, digital technologies, and data engineering sectors, Foodpilot delivers cutting-edge solutions tailored to the agri-food industry’s complex needs. “Our team’s diverse expertise makes us unique,” Didier notes. Scientific innovation is key to keeping Foodpilot’s solutions at the forefront of sustainability management. Impressive Traction and Growth Strategy With projected revenue of €1.8 million in 2024, and €1 million already secured, Foodpilot is positioned for rapid growth. The company’s participation in SIAL Startup Village highlights its ambition to scale internationally. “We applied to SIAL Startup Village to connect with global prospects, partners, and investors to support our international expansion,” says Didier. The event will serve as a key opportunity to generate business leads and partnerships. Future Goals and Ambitions Foodpilot has ambitious goals for 2024, including international expansion, enhancing its data-driven platform, and continuing to lead sustainability innovation. To achieve this, Foodpilot is actively hiring data scientists, carbon experts, and developers. “Every day, we’re motivated by the chance to drive real change in the food industry,” Didier reflects. “The work we do now is paving the way for a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

Founded in 2017, MyEasyFarm is a French agri-tech company revolutionizing agriculture with digital solutions for regenerative and precision farming. With teams in France, Italy, Brazil, and the Netherlands, their platform promotes sustainable, decarbonized farming. “Our goal is simple: Precision and sustainable farming, made easy,” says the team. Highlighting their mission to simplify data collection for an eco-friendly agricultural future. From Industry 4.0 to Smart Agriculture The inspiration behind MyEasyFarm comes from François Thierart, the CEO and Co-Founder, whose family roots in agricultural equipment manufacturing shaped his vision. Drawing on his Industry 4.0 expertise and farming background, François saw an opportunity to innovate in farm data management and interoperability. “It was natural to apply my Industry 4.0 knowledge to agriculture, given my family roots,” says François.This convergence of technology and agriculture powers MyEasyFarm’s cutting-edge software solutions designed for the future of farming. Empowering the Agri-Food Supply Chain MyEasyFarm’s platform is built to serve a diverse audience, including agrifood companies, cooperatives, carbon project developers, and farmers. “We aim to support everyone in the agri-food value chain, from cooperatives to carbon developers and farmers, “Christophe Zollner, the head of Sales explains. By offering tools that facilitate sustainable agriculture through accurate data collection and reporting, MyEasyFarm enables businesses to transition smoothly into regenerative farming practices, improving both environmental outcomes and productivity. Data Expertise and Global Reach In a competitive market, MyEasyFarm distinguishes itself through its in-depth knowledge of farm-level data and application interoperability. “Our precision farming expertise allows us to scale carbon and regenerative agriculture programs globally,” the team says, noting that their platform simplifies the process of gathering and using farm data. This specialization in scalable agriculture solutions gives MyEasyFarm a competitive edge over other MRV software providers. Building Visibility and Growth MyEasyFarm has achieved significant traction, with a 2.5X turnover increase in 2023, and is on track to double that in 2024. Their revenue comes from their SaaS platform, which has proven successful in driving both sustainability and profitability. When asked about their participation in SIAL Startup Village, François notes “SIAL is an excellent event for meeting potential customers and investors.” They expect to gain valuable leads and boost visibility within the industry, cementing their role as a key player in the agricultural tech space. Sustainability and Innovation Goals for 2024 Looking toward the future, MyEasyFarm’s primary goal for 2024 is to further enhance its sustainability efforts. “We want to be more sustainable,” they affirm, signaling their ongoing commitment to helping agriculture become more environmentally responsible. By integrating innovation with sustainable farming practices, MyEasyFarm continues to lead the global movement towards a more sustainable and regenerative agricultural industry. 📸：MyEasyFarm

With 70-90% of their scope 3 emissions in the fields, food chain companies increasingly need visibility over agricultural production to meet their sustainability objectives. On top of that imperative, the increasing volatility in agricultural production, mainly due to climate change, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions, is a major pain point for the entire food chain.  By providing continuous data on field health, crop rotations, and yield estimates, Hyperplan provides food chain players with the real-time information they need to make data-driven decisions that allow them to meet sustainability objectives, mitigate risks, and, ultimately, improve agricultural outcomes. Founded in 2021, Hyperplan has since grown to a team of 22 employees. The company offers a unique value proposition: “We don’t just provide data at the end of the season,” says the team. “Our real-time monitoring covers everything from field boundaries to crop production practices, giving you the insights you need to make informed decisions throughout the growing cycle.” Real-time monitoring goes beyond season-end data Hyperplan provides continuous insights into field boundaries, crop rotations, yield estimates, vegetation status, and production practices (e.g., tillage, cover cropping, crop rotations). This granular plot-level data empowers all stakeholders to make targeted interventions, optimize resource allocation, and implement sustainable practices such as cover crops, all with the help of Hyperplan. “It’s more than software,” the team says. “We help you revamp your processes to gain a competitive edge.” Beyond Food Brands While initially targeting coops and input companies, Hyperplan had its first successful deployment with a global food brand in 2024. The startup has now this experience, use case, and service for food brands, and is ready to roll out at scale. The company is also looking to extend its technology for crop classification and yield estimates beyond Europe. Strong Backing and Future Expansion Having raised €4.1 million in seed funding last year, Hyperplan is backed by Demeter via its Agrinnovation fund, as well as BNP Paribas Développement, Polytechnique Ventures, PeakBridge, Techmind and Unilis Agtech, a joint venture between Arvalis and Unigrains. Hyperplan’s supporters also include Aerospace Valley, ESA BIC Sud France, France 2030, La Ferme Digitale, La Vega Innova, and Microsoft’s Environmental Startup Accelerator. The latter also allowed Hyperplan to present its solution at Microsoft’s VivaTech booth earlier this year. Buoyed by the support of recognized investors who validate the relevance and potential impact of their solution in agriculture, Hyperplan will leverage its participation in SIAL Startup Village this year to secure new commercial contacts. Showcase Your Brand at SIAL Paris 2024: Fill Out Our Exhibitor Form Today!

VG Fryer, a Croatian company, produces nutritious, additive-free dried vegetables with a unique low-temperature drying method. These long-lasting products, along with their ready-made rice and vegetable mixes, cater to health-conscious consumers seeking convenience and a taste of Croatia's culinary heritage.

Anchor Bar Europe is bringing American-style Buffalo wings and sauces to Europe. With exclusive EU production rights, they aim to distribute their products across the continent, targeting food enthusiasts and prioritizing passion over size.